Destination Green Bay Wisconsin

Perhaps all you know about Green Bay is that they are home to the Packers, but there is so much more to this city by the bay. Its unique location on the southern tip of a narrow estuary off the western coast of Lake Michigan provides residents and visitors with terrific fishing and outdoor activities. And there are so many unique places to visit and sights to see. Don't miss the Green Bay Botanical Garden, National Railroad Museum, and a walk along the Fox River Trail through downtown Green Bay and beyond.

GREEN BAY HISTORY
A young Frenchman by the name of Jean Nicolet de Belleborne stepped ashore on the area north of Green Bay called the Red Banks in 1634. He was hired by Samuel de Champlain to travel westward in search of the Orient. He spent the winter in the Green Bay area...and even though he realized it was not the Orient, he felt the rich resources found there were worthy enough to claim it for the King of France. He then named it La Baie Verte (Green Bay) because of the greenish waters. The Gateway to the Great Waterway is often the name given to Green Bay because of the fur trade route down the Fox River to the Wisconsin River and eventually draining into the Mississippi River.

GREEN BAY PACKERS
Green Bay's most famous commodity is definitely one of the NFL's earliest teams...the Packers. In 1919, Curly Lambeau and George Calhoun scraped together some strong, young athletes and formed what was to become the Green Bay Packers. Since then, the Packers have won 12 championships, more than any other NFL team, and two Super Bowls. Vince Lombardi, who coached the Packers from 1959-1967, is one of the most recognized names in sports history. In fact, the Super Bowl championship trophy is named after him, the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

FESTIVALS & EVENTS IN GREEN BAY
It's easy to navigate through Green Bay by car...no traffic here! Cabs and public transit are also available. If you would like to make the trip over from Michigan, take the S.S. Badger carferry from Ludington across Lake Michigan to Manitowoc, then drive the short distance on I-43 up to Green Bay. The Badger runs from May-October. It's worth the trip, as Green Bay has so much to offer the visitor. Summer activities include Summer in the Park, Bayfest, Kid's Day, Artstreet, and a fantastic July 4th celebration. Winter events feature the Holiday Parade, On Broadway Lighting Ceremony, and Winterfest on Broadway. Don't miss The CityDeck, a new four-block area along the Fox River that will be home to restaurants, shopping, and cultural events.